Four Killed in Oregon Elementary School Shooting by Former Student

A 16-year-old former student killed four people and wounded two others at an Oregon elementary school before being shot dead by a parent. Police identified the shooter as Griffin J. John II, who used a pump-action shotgun to attack a special needs classroom at Silver Rail Elementary on October 16, 2026.

What Happened

City of Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said a teacher threw her phone at the gunman, then tackled and fought with him inside the classroom, an act police called heroic. A 36-year-old father who followed the shooter into the building then shot the attacker several times. The victims killed include three children aged 5, 8, and 11, along with 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. A 7-year-old child and 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury were wounded and hospitalized in critical condition. The shooter fired as many as 15 shots from a 12-gauge shotgun and had about 44 rounds remaining when he died. Before entering the building, John also shot at a red pickup truck after a driver yelled at him.

Reactions And Investigation

Authorities are still trying to determine the motive and how the teen obtained the weapon, though a law enforcement official stated the pump-action shotgun was bought by his mother, Shauntai Nickerson. Ms. Nickerson expressed deep remorse to reporters, stating she missed her son and wished she could have prevented the tragedy. In 2020, she had noted that her son participated in a special needs program called NEST and struggled with home learning during the pandemic. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the armed father who intervened, calling him a hero.

Context

This incident marks the 28th mass killing in the United States for the year, according to data maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. School shootings involving current or former students targeting specific classrooms remain a devastating recurring crisis in American communities. Under Oregon law, a minor is legally permitted to possess a shotgun if it is provided by a parent or with parental consent.